The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County reminds drivers to watch for turtles now through October, when these slow-moving reptiles become more active, many crossing roads near lakes, ponds, and marshes as they search for water, food, and mates.

“Despite their hard shells, turtles are no match for a moving vehicle,” said Forest Preserve District ecologist Dan Thompson. “Horns and flashing lights have no effect on them. They aren’t built for speed or evasive maneuvers, so they simply can’t move faster or reverse course to get out of the way.” 

Drivers can help by being alert, following the speed limit, not tailgating, and being prepared to safely brake if they see a turtle on the road.

For many types of turtles, every adult matters. State-endangered Blanding’s turtles, for example, do not reach sexual maturity until their early teens and need at least 90% of adults to survive each year just to keep the population steady. A 30-year-old female may lay a dozen or more eggs each year and live to be 80, so losing one female means also losing the 500-plus potential hatchlings she could have produced in her lifetime.

“Even one turtle lost to traffic can have ripple effects on the population,” Thompson said. “Some females live for decades and lay hundreds of eggs. Losing her means losing generations.”

If you find an injured turtle, call the Forest Preserve District’s DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center in Glen Ellyn at 630-942-6200. 

DuPage County is home to a variety of native turtle species, including musk, snapping, eastern spiny softshell, common map, painted, and Blanding’s.